Hi, to everyone:
I have compiled some of the Christmas traditions in Panama
Christmas greeting in Panama is known as “ Feliz Navidad”. Spending Christmas in Panama is a season to be around our family and friends. Most Panamanian festivities occur during Christmas time, such as the arrival of summer. December is by far one of the busiest month in many countries around the world, and in Panama, things are not different
In Panama, the preparations for the busy Christmas season really begins in November. Once the mes patrio (patriotic month) celebrating Panama´s independence days passes, major banks and businesses replace the red, white and blue banners and flags with red and white, competing to have the best Christmas or nativity scene on their premises or rooftops, hoping to usher in the year end festivities. In addition, department stores start setting up their Christmas displays in their store fronts amd playing Christmas carols over their sound systems, hoping to lure in those early Christmas gift shoppers.
The beginning of the Christmas season is marked by the lighting of the Christmas trees, when Panama City's Mayor makes an open invitation to the Parque Urraca on Balboa Ave., and also at many of the Banks headquarters, malls and hotels follow. Newspaper ads inundate all major newspapers inviting families to chime in and indulge in all the festivities, including gifts and candies for the kids.
Many companies start sending gift baskets to clients and smaller gifts to clerks, receptionists and secretaries. Even employees join in the gift giving playing secret santas, accompanied by an annual company dinner or get together, usually at a restaurant or someone´s home. The famous Club payments play a big part of gift giving. This is where banks make available their clients Christmas savings accounts, available only until the end of the year. For those who have difficulties keeping their savings untouched, this is a good deal.
A unique aspect of Christmas in Panama is the celebration of Mother's Day, also in December. Panama may well be the only country in the world celebrating it in December. But it does! December 8th is another holiday for this already busy month. Mothers receive serenatas.
For stores that sell indoor and outdoor paint, this is also a busy time of the year, as many families do their best to ready their homes for the celebrations, family visits and parties. Remember Dec 15th is the beginning of the summer in Panama and most families traditionally like to receive the new year with a newly painted house and painters are more than eager to get that extra cash.
By this time of the year, if you didn´t book a hall for your Christmas celebration, it´s probably too late. Companies book several months in advance to celebrate their Christmas parties, which include fancy dinners, maybe a dance, gift giving, a raffle for the big prize, announcements and employee recognitions.
In case you didn't know, 99% of all Panama's employees get paid on the 30th and the 15th of every month. If you plan to go shopping, to the bank or the grocery stores, make sure you avoid going between the 29th and the 1st, and the between 14th and 16th of every month. It's hectic. Trust me!! Even more because by law, companies pay what in Spanish is called 'décimo tercer mes', a 13th month bonus. They take the monthly salary, divide it by 3 and pay 1/3 in April, 1/3 in August and the last 1/3 in December. You can only imagine how everybody anxiously await this extra cash.
And with money in the pockets, here comes the Teleton. An annual fundraising organized by Club 20-30. Every year, Panamanians share our wealth to benefit needed children. Every year, on the second week of December, the telethon 20-30 takes place in Panama City. This telethon is a fundraising telethon sponsored by Club Activo 20-30 of Panama since 1980. The telethon is broadcasted for 27 consecutive hours. Proceeds from this telethon are used to fund projects to enable impoverished families to become self-sufficient. The goal increases every year and Panamanians always manage to reach it.
On December 24th, most banks, offices and government agencies close at noon. By now, beauty sallons are full swing and kitchens witness the cooking and the baking of the many dishes to be served at night. That's rigth! Panamanians have their Christmas dinner during Christmas eve. What is it served? On this occasion, the Panamanians serve some of their traditional food, such as pavo, which is Turkey; relleno, meaning stuffing; arroz dulce, and tamales which consists of a cornmeal made into a paste with Arturo sauce, prunes, capers, meats, and spices wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled. It will definitely vary from house to house, and even from Province to Province, but you can assure that tamales is by far a traditional dish served throughout the country. Other Panamanian Christmas foods are ham, potato salad with beets and .rosca (soft egg-bread braided and baked in a wreath shape), and Bowls of fruit containing grapes, apples and bananas decorate the Christmas tables. The most popular dessert from the Panamanian cuisine in Christmas is represented by fruicakes.
At 10:00 p.m., in most homes, it's time for Christmas mass for those of the Catholic faith. This tradition takes them to Church at this time to then go home and share a meal and serve the spirits.
At mid night gifts are given to each family member and in some occasions people rather wait until the next day to open them.
Also, around 12:00 midnight, with the sound of firecrackers ringing through the air, the festivities are just beginning... so if you plan to sleep early, you may need to plan ahead..but for Party lovers, you´ve come to the right place. Many will stay out all night, bringing in the new day, where the celebrations continue.
On the morning of Christmas people go to the church to offer prayers. The rest of the day is spent by making fun, eating special foods and visiting far off friends and families.
For us Panamanians, Christmas is something to do more with family. The Panamanian culture tends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. One difference in our Christmas is the abundance of manger scenes. Jesus is actually a part of Christmas in Panama. There is a type of friendly competition among neighborhoods to see who makes the best birth nativity display for Jesus.
High end Panamanian families tend to travel to their beach houses with their entire family and sometimes close friends. Middle income families tend to do the same or in some cases “house hopping” is their option.
Panamanians love to decorate. The way large banks and insurance buildings on “Calle 50” (50th Street) decorate… you’d think you were on 5th Ave. in New York City! The lights Christmas parades are fantastic. Areas in Panama City such as the Banking district (Obarrio, Calle 50 and Marbella) are recommended to see in order to appreciate the beauty of high income entity nativity displays.
December is also time for the Posadas (Christmas Caroling). where community groups and church goers organize small groups and choose children to represent Mary and Joseph, angels and sheperds. They agree in what houses to stop and ask for 'hospice' for Mary and Joseph. These house owners are supposed to say no and the group sings from house to house until they arrive to the 'one' that will take them in and will grant them 'posada'. Songs are sang and prayers are shared before the hosts bring out goodies for the kids. In Panama, Christmas music iis called "villancicos".
The 20th of the month brings in a different kind of spirit, as some groups remember this day as the 'Día de la Invasión' (Invasion Day), when the US troops arrived with the sole purpose of taking Noriega out of Panama, and in this attempt many died and are rememberd every year.
Third week in this last month, kids are out of most public schools and this means one more thing to add to December: Graduations. 6th and 12th graders walk to receive their diplomas, friends and relatives buy graduation gifts and moms go frantic preparing their kids' graduation family party.
By now shoppers are stressed. Stores open until late. Some store open until 1:00 a.m. for the three weekends before Christmas. Every where you look there are people shopping.
Lots of singing, dancing and fun surrounds the Christmas and New Year in Panama. During the Christmas and New Year Eves, local and international bands perform at hotels and night clubs.
We also love presents! Panamanians love beautifully wrapped gifts. We are a generous people who both love to give and receive. In every store, there are section where our gifts are wrapped for free. If you don't have patience to wait to wrap your gifts, you just have to ask for yards of wrapping papers and bows.
The American influence with the building of the Canal Zone changed the holidays into a mixture of Panamanian and American traditions. As a consequence of that, Panamanians love to embellish our outdoor lawns and yards with lights and decorative crafts. During Christmas, our houses are decorative. Floodlighting combined with spotlighting in shrubbery is common, with the traditional stars above sharing attention with the lighted Christmas trees in the yard. Icicles lights are very popular lights that are used to form a backdrop for an angelic choir. Synthetic snowmen, elves and gnomes or a Nativity Christmas scene heightens the outdoor decorations. It is a Christmas tradition to visit neighborhoods like Villa Lucre, Brisas del Golf, Obarrio, Calle Belen, Albrook to appreciate the creativity of our houses.
In Panama, Christmas trees are very important. A Christmas tree is the center of attraction in most houses. It is decorated with the traditional lights, angel treetop, icicles, and other Christmas ornaments. Every Panamanian longs to have a fresh fir or pine tree in his living room, no matter what the cost The price range of Christmas trees is from $15.00 to $75.00. We dismantled our Christmas trees on January 6th.
Here are some interesting facts:
Panama is the third largest “consumer” of cut Christmas trees, behind the United States and Canada.
An estimated 90% of Panamanian homes will have either a fresh cut or an artificial Christmas tree.
75,000 cut fir or pine Christmas trees will be imported this year.
There are at least 500,000 families in Panama (population slightly over 3 million).
In December, the mayor of Panama City organized a Christmas Parade that gathers kids, teenagers, and adults from all around the country. This annual parade is a special occasion for all Panamanian families to gather and enjoy the beauty of this magical event and time of year. In addition, round 12,000 children from different poor areas of the city re the guests of honor to a VIP pre-party in Parque Urracá, which included shows, artist presentations, lots of different foods, and gifts and candies for the kids. A lot of toys are distributed to kids who otherwise might not have received anything for Christmas. Those who can't make it in person can watch the parade live on TV.
This festive parade started in Parque Urracá, as it does every year. It continued over to Avenida Balboa, then to Avenida Aquilino de la Guardia and on to Calle 50, ending at Via Porras with a sparkling show of fireworks. Along the way spectators enjoyed floats (representing corporations, churches, schools, and government entities) and local bands, all celebrating the theme "Christmas Spirit." Every year the floats are decorated in traditional Panamanian styles, and people in the parade dress in "polleras" (the typical women's dress style) and "montunos" (the typical men's style). The drummers (firefighters, policemen and high school students) keep the crowds entertained by swinging the drums around their necks a couple of times and then picking up again where they left off, drumming while marching.
In Panama, there is a Christmas tradition, called the muñecos that are displayed along the roads of West Panama after Christmas' Eve until New Year's Eve. Muñecos are effigies that are burned in New Year's bonfire parties. It's an old tradition of the rural area of Panama that was dying out until some local governments and legislator Arturo Araúz stepped forward to sponsor contests, with cash prizes for the best muñecos. The best muñecos can be appreciated in the districts of Capira, Chame and San Carlos.
Political figure, entertainers, historical characters and ordinary people in typical garb are frequent subjects.
Although Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the other big holiday in Panama is Epiphany - or Dia de los Reyes (Kings Day), when children get presents.
Christmas music is often
I recently came across an article that listed Panamanians as the fourth happiest people in the world. The study was done by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF), a group that puts together a Happy Planet Index every year, and they do so by evaluating a population's satisfaction, life expectation, and environmental footprint. A pretty legit census.
As traditions may vary from country to country, dishes, times of celebrations and traditions may be vary from country to country, but one thing is certain, in Panama, many look inward, with some experiencing feelings of happiness and togetherness and in the end...a time to prepare for what the next year may bring!
I guess you’ve figured out that Christmas is important in Panama and why we are the fourth happiest people in this world. Que viva Panama
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Peninsula Consortium on Homelessness, Nov19, 2009
There is an amazing array of Peninsula resources fighting the homeless epidemic, the problem is, many ministries aren't fully aware of what is available.
This is why we're so passionate to host the first Peninsula Church Consortium on Homelessness on Thursday, November 19th from 9AM - 12PM.
This is a Free Event designed to educate, inform, and inspire us to effectively stamp out homelessness here in Hampton Roads.
Featured speakers include:
Alan Archer
Assistant City Manager, City of Newport News
Mr. Archer will speak on Newport News strategies to end homelessness and offer a unique, city
government perspective.
Lynne Finding
Executive Director, LINK
LINK is a nonprofit volunteer organization which exists to reduce the causes of poverty through
collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and maximization of effective resources. This includes
PORT, the Peninsula emergency winter shelter program.
Sarah Meacham
Executive Director, Avalon
Avalon exists to end domestic violence and sexual assault by offering shelter, advocacy,
education, and support to survivors. Avalon also works tirelessly in fostering awareness and
prevention through community education.
Maria Cory
Executive Director, Denbigh United Christian Outreach (DUCO)
DUCO exists to be a living expression of God's love by providing emergency food assistance and
financial aid. DUCO mentors and supports people into self-sufficiency and assists participating
congregations by providing cooperative benevolent aid.
Chad and Ashley Lambert
Staff, All Nations Church
Through the leadership of the Lamberts, All Nations has established a weekly homeless outreach
ministry consisting of meals, hot showers, medical ministry, a clothing closet, a food pantry, and
bus transportation.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts and learn best practices from seasoned ministries. In addition, a copy of the Hampton Roads Benevolence Guide (a comprehensive listing of area benevolence ministries and organizations) will be given to each attendee, as well as updated calendars for emergency winter shelter programs.
After each featured speaker, there will be a question-and-answer period and a time of focused prayer. Various other organizations will also be present, offering free resources and must-have information.
Please RSVP by replying to this email so that we can properly prepare Attendee Packets and refreshments.
God's grace,
Brian Forrester
All Nations Church
853 Cloverleaf Lane Newport News, VA 23601
757.825.8465
allnationschurch.org
This is why we're so passionate to host the first Peninsula Church Consortium on Homelessness on Thursday, November 19th from 9AM - 12PM.
This is a Free Event designed to educate, inform, and inspire us to effectively stamp out homelessness here in Hampton Roads.
Featured speakers include:
Alan Archer
Assistant City Manager, City of Newport News
Mr. Archer will speak on Newport News strategies to end homelessness and offer a unique, city
government perspective.
Lynne Finding
Executive Director, LINK
LINK is a nonprofit volunteer organization which exists to reduce the causes of poverty through
collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and maximization of effective resources. This includes
PORT, the Peninsula emergency winter shelter program.
Sarah Meacham
Executive Director, Avalon
Avalon exists to end domestic violence and sexual assault by offering shelter, advocacy,
education, and support to survivors. Avalon also works tirelessly in fostering awareness and
prevention through community education.
Maria Cory
Executive Director, Denbigh United Christian Outreach (DUCO)
DUCO exists to be a living expression of God's love by providing emergency food assistance and
financial aid. DUCO mentors and supports people into self-sufficiency and assists participating
congregations by providing cooperative benevolent aid.
Chad and Ashley Lambert
Staff, All Nations Church
Through the leadership of the Lamberts, All Nations has established a weekly homeless outreach
ministry consisting of meals, hot showers, medical ministry, a clothing closet, a food pantry, and
bus transportation.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts and learn best practices from seasoned ministries. In addition, a copy of the Hampton Roads Benevolence Guide (a comprehensive listing of area benevolence ministries and organizations) will be given to each attendee, as well as updated calendars for emergency winter shelter programs.
After each featured speaker, there will be a question-and-answer period and a time of focused prayer. Various other organizations will also be present, offering free resources and must-have information.
Please RSVP by replying to this email so that we can properly prepare Attendee Packets and refreshments.
God's grace,
Brian Forrester
All Nations Church
853 Cloverleaf Lane Newport News, VA 23601
757.825.8465
allnationschurch.org
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Senior Citizen Housing in S. Hampton Roads
SENIOR HOUSING
CHESAPEAKE:
Alta Reserve, 1005 Elysian Place (23320) 361-0066
*Cambridge Square, 704 Gainsborough Court (23322) 547-7119
Chesapeake Crossing Phase II, 1925 Robert Hall Blvd. (23324) 494-0941
The Commons at Chesapeake, 116 Gainsborough Sq. (23320) 436-2699
The Commons at Churchland, 3504 Executive Center Drive (23321) 484-8697
The Commons at Hunningdon Lakes, II, 1102 Alexandria Lane (23320) 819-7234
The Cottages at Great Bridge, 625 Bette’s Way (23320) 512-3050
Greenbrier Seniors Apartments, 1509 Ring Road (23320) 366-9676
Holly Point Apartments, 2410 Holly Point Blvd (23325) 1-866-902-5327
*Kemet House Apartments, 2139 Broadmoor Ave. (23323) 487-5021
Lighthouse Pointe, 933 Cedar Rd (23322) 382-4911
Sunstone, 4600 Peek Trail (23321) 488-3165
NORFOLK:
*Annetta M. Lane Apartments, 2734 Gate House Road (23504) 622-2386
*Braywood Manor, 7000 Auburn Avenue (23513) 857-4496
*Calvary Towers, 850 E. VA. Beach Blvd. (23504) 446-0850
*COGIC Memorial Home for the Elderly, 2412 E. Va. Beach 622-2513
Blvd. (23504)
Cromwell House, 114 Cromwell Pkwy. (23505) 480-4444
*Grace Place, 2735 Corprew Ave. (23504) 627-8552
*Granby House, 100 Suburban Pkwy. (23505) 583-6330
Harbor’s Edge, 1 Colley Ave (23510) 616-7950
John Knox Towers, 1210 Colonial Avenue (23517) 622-5443
Page 2
SENIOR HOUSING
Norfolk (con’t
*Lakewood Plaza Apts., 5631 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-5445
Shorewood Cove, 293 Corporate Blvd. (23502) 461-4080
Stonebridge Manor, 5432 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-1351
*Suburban House, 110 Suburban Pkwy (23505) 588-6256
Talbot Park Commons, 6311 Granby St. (23505) 451-5100
*Tucker House, 7700 Armfield Avenue (23505) 489-7770
*Village Pointe, 1220 W. 38th Street (23508) 423-8100
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) 623-1111
Applications for the following NRHA Senior Mid-rises: 624-8615
*Bobbit Apts., 5920 Poplar Hall Dr. (23502)
*Franklin Arms 2500 E. Princess Anne Rd. (23504)
*Hunter Square, 825 Goff Street (23504)
*Partrea Apts., 701 Easy Street (23505)
*Sykes Apts., 555 E. Liberty Street (23523)
PORTSMOUTH:
The Commons at Greenwood, Airline Blvd. & Greenwood Dr. (23701) 465-9007
*Effingham Plaza, 715 Madison Street (23704) 393-4757
*Malvern Hill, 426 King Street (23704) 393-0905
*Mt. Herman Village, 2400 Cutherell St. (23707) 399-4462
*Phoebus Square Apts- to apply: You can obtain an application from the Authority’s website at www.prha.org, and it must be returned by mail. Applications are available to adults only, one person, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. To request reasonable accommodations please call 391-2080. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-545-1833 ext. 869. These are the following four locations in Portsmouth:
Dale Homes Rental Office - 234 Dale Drive, Lincoln Park Rental office - 4 Lexington Drive
Westbury Homes Office - 900 Thomas Circle, Swanson Homes Rental Office - 1746 South Street
Page 3
SENIOR HOUSING
Portsmouth (con’t
Shea Terrace Senior Apts, 253 Constitution Ave. (23704) 397-9804
Victory Square, 900 County St. (23704) 397-9991
SUFFOLK:
*Betty Davis Village, 100 Dover Court (23434) 539-6005
*Chorey Park, 804 W. Constance Road (23434) 925-1461
The Commons at Centerbrooke, 1056 Centerbrooke Lane (23434) 925-7955
*Hoffler Apartments, 2210 E. Washington St. (23434) 539-8742
*Magnolia Gardens, 219 Prospect Road (23434) 923-4260
The Orchards at Belleville Harbour, 1050 Belle Orchard Lane (23435) 484-7045
*William H. Plummer Plaza Retirement Community 686-0775
5520 Town Point Road, (23435)
VIRGINIA BEACH:
*Beth Sholom Sands, 6405 Auburn Drive (23464) 420-0891
Brenneman Lakes, 4400 Sanibel Cir. (23462) 1-866-485-7682
Colony Pines, 2600 Va. Beach Blvd. (23452) 486-7363
The Commons at Princess Anne, 4924 Princess Anne Road (23462) 490-7001
Haygood Halls, 1101 Ferry Plantation Rd. (23455) 1-888-219-7119
Holland House. 721 Chimney Hill Parkway (23462) 498-9225
Jamestown Commons, 1025 College Park Blvd. (23464) 361-6900
*Luther Manor, 350 Malibu Drive (23452) 463-3510
Lynnhaven Cove, 5020 Lynnhaven Pkwy. (23464) 467-4000
*Russell House, 900 First Colonial Road (23454) 481-0770
Silver Hill, 1537 Mill Dam Rd. (23454) 481-0055
Page 4
SENIOR HOUSING
Silver Hill at Thalia, 4373 Bonney Rd (23452) 431-2290
*Sullivan House, Phase I & II 563-9955
2017-2033 General Booth Blvd. (23454)
Victoria Place, 4629 Shore Drive (23455) 313-2323
Wesleyan Place, 5445 Wesleyan Drive (23455) 473-1490
ISLE OF WIGHT
*Covenant Place, 601 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 994 Smithfield, VA (23430) 357-4469
*Subsidized based on income; all others flat rate rent
Gdata/ltc/sosres/seniorhousing Rev. 8/09
CHESAPEAKE:
Alta Reserve, 1005 Elysian Place (23320) 361-0066
*Cambridge Square, 704 Gainsborough Court (23322) 547-7119
Chesapeake Crossing Phase II, 1925 Robert Hall Blvd. (23324) 494-0941
The Commons at Chesapeake, 116 Gainsborough Sq. (23320) 436-2699
The Commons at Churchland, 3504 Executive Center Drive (23321) 484-8697
The Commons at Hunningdon Lakes, II, 1102 Alexandria Lane (23320) 819-7234
The Cottages at Great Bridge, 625 Bette’s Way (23320) 512-3050
Greenbrier Seniors Apartments, 1509 Ring Road (23320) 366-9676
Holly Point Apartments, 2410 Holly Point Blvd (23325) 1-866-902-5327
*Kemet House Apartments, 2139 Broadmoor Ave. (23323) 487-5021
Lighthouse Pointe, 933 Cedar Rd (23322) 382-4911
Sunstone, 4600 Peek Trail (23321) 488-3165
NORFOLK:
*Annetta M. Lane Apartments, 2734 Gate House Road (23504) 622-2386
*Braywood Manor, 7000 Auburn Avenue (23513) 857-4496
*Calvary Towers, 850 E. VA. Beach Blvd. (23504) 446-0850
*COGIC Memorial Home for the Elderly, 2412 E. Va. Beach 622-2513
Blvd. (23504)
Cromwell House, 114 Cromwell Pkwy. (23505) 480-4444
*Grace Place, 2735 Corprew Ave. (23504) 627-8552
*Granby House, 100 Suburban Pkwy. (23505) 583-6330
Harbor’s Edge, 1 Colley Ave (23510) 616-7950
John Knox Towers, 1210 Colonial Avenue (23517) 622-5443
Page 2
SENIOR HOUSING
Norfolk (con’t
*Lakewood Plaza Apts., 5631 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-5445
Shorewood Cove, 293 Corporate Blvd. (23502) 461-4080
Stonebridge Manor, 5432 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-1351
*Suburban House, 110 Suburban Pkwy (23505) 588-6256
Talbot Park Commons, 6311 Granby St. (23505) 451-5100
*Tucker House, 7700 Armfield Avenue (23505) 489-7770
*Village Pointe, 1220 W. 38th Street (23508) 423-8100
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) 623-1111
Applications for the following NRHA Senior Mid-rises: 624-8615
*Bobbit Apts., 5920 Poplar Hall Dr. (23502)
*Franklin Arms 2500 E. Princess Anne Rd. (23504)
*Hunter Square, 825 Goff Street (23504)
*Partrea Apts., 701 Easy Street (23505)
*Sykes Apts., 555 E. Liberty Street (23523)
PORTSMOUTH:
The Commons at Greenwood, Airline Blvd. & Greenwood Dr. (23701) 465-9007
*Effingham Plaza, 715 Madison Street (23704) 393-4757
*Malvern Hill, 426 King Street (23704) 393-0905
*Mt. Herman Village, 2400 Cutherell St. (23707) 399-4462
*Phoebus Square Apts- to apply: You can obtain an application from the Authority’s website at www.prha.org, and it must be returned by mail. Applications are available to adults only, one person, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. To request reasonable accommodations please call 391-2080. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-545-1833 ext. 869. These are the following four locations in Portsmouth:
Dale Homes Rental Office - 234 Dale Drive, Lincoln Park Rental office - 4 Lexington Drive
Westbury Homes Office - 900 Thomas Circle, Swanson Homes Rental Office - 1746 South Street
Page 3
SENIOR HOUSING
Portsmouth (con’t
Shea Terrace Senior Apts, 253 Constitution Ave. (23704) 397-9804
Victory Square, 900 County St. (23704) 397-9991
SUFFOLK:
*Betty Davis Village, 100 Dover Court (23434) 539-6005
*Chorey Park, 804 W. Constance Road (23434) 925-1461
The Commons at Centerbrooke, 1056 Centerbrooke Lane (23434) 925-7955
*Hoffler Apartments, 2210 E. Washington St. (23434) 539-8742
*Magnolia Gardens, 219 Prospect Road (23434) 923-4260
The Orchards at Belleville Harbour, 1050 Belle Orchard Lane (23435) 484-7045
*William H. Plummer Plaza Retirement Community 686-0775
5520 Town Point Road, (23435)
VIRGINIA BEACH:
*Beth Sholom Sands, 6405 Auburn Drive (23464) 420-0891
Brenneman Lakes, 4400 Sanibel Cir. (23462) 1-866-485-7682
Colony Pines, 2600 Va. Beach Blvd. (23452) 486-7363
The Commons at Princess Anne, 4924 Princess Anne Road (23462) 490-7001
Haygood Halls, 1101 Ferry Plantation Rd. (23455) 1-888-219-7119
Holland House. 721 Chimney Hill Parkway (23462) 498-9225
Jamestown Commons, 1025 College Park Blvd. (23464) 361-6900
*Luther Manor, 350 Malibu Drive (23452) 463-3510
Lynnhaven Cove, 5020 Lynnhaven Pkwy. (23464) 467-4000
*Russell House, 900 First Colonial Road (23454) 481-0770
Silver Hill, 1537 Mill Dam Rd. (23454) 481-0055
Page 4
SENIOR HOUSING
Silver Hill at Thalia, 4373 Bonney Rd (23452) 431-2290
*Sullivan House, Phase I & II 563-9955
2017-2033 General Booth Blvd. (23454)
Victoria Place, 4629 Shore Drive (23455) 313-2323
Wesleyan Place, 5445 Wesleyan Drive (23455) 473-1490
ISLE OF WIGHT
*Covenant Place, 601 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 994 Smithfield, VA (23430) 357-4469
*Subsidized based on income; all others flat rate rent
Gdata/ltc/sosres/seniorhousing Rev. 8/09
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
National Conference Call Sept 25th for Nation
This message is from another ministry:
"It is critical that the church in America understands the times and what needs to be done now. The natural things speak of the invisible. Natural happenings on the earth are revealing something that is going on in the spiritual realm. There is a great spiritual conflict with a rising tide of Islamic boldness being manifested.
Our President has recently proclaimed, honored, and encouraged the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. He was very silent on the National Day of Prayer but very vocal on the support of Ramadan. Interestingly at the same time a major Christian leader of the Emergent Church called for forty days of fasting and prayer in the same Ramadan period with the goal that the church will better understand our Muslim friends. We are all for understanding but we must have spiritual discernment as to the spiritual dark powers that are being invoked into our nation.
At the same time, on the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall.
This is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, "Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house." These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America.
This convergence, I believe, is urgently summoning us in the midst of the rising tide of Islamic influence in America to recognize that our God is above every god and that if we return to Him with all of our hearts and call upon Him with fasting and prayer then God could use what the enemy meant for evil to bring about a great day of salvation for Muslims in America, of which Rifqa is but a major sign.
Therefore we are calling Christians all over America to join Lou Engle, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Tony Perkins, and many other major leaders in America to a national conference call to pray for America. Please join us on Thursday, September 24th from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Eastern Time for possibly one of the greatest moments in American history."
Conference Call Numbers: 712-338-8100
Alternate Dial in Numbers: 218-486-1400 or 507-726-3200
Participant Passcode: 637# (NDP#)
Live Audio Feed: www.nationaldayofprayer.org
"It is critical that the church in America understands the times and what needs to be done now. The natural things speak of the invisible. Natural happenings on the earth are revealing something that is going on in the spiritual realm. There is a great spiritual conflict with a rising tide of Islamic boldness being manifested.
Our President has recently proclaimed, honored, and encouraged the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. He was very silent on the National Day of Prayer but very vocal on the support of Ramadan. Interestingly at the same time a major Christian leader of the Emergent Church called for forty days of fasting and prayer in the same Ramadan period with the goal that the church will better understand our Muslim friends. We are all for understanding but we must have spiritual discernment as to the spiritual dark powers that are being invoked into our nation.
At the same time, on the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall.
This is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, "Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house." These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America.
This convergence, I believe, is urgently summoning us in the midst of the rising tide of Islamic influence in America to recognize that our God is above every god and that if we return to Him with all of our hearts and call upon Him with fasting and prayer then God could use what the enemy meant for evil to bring about a great day of salvation for Muslims in America, of which Rifqa is but a major sign.
Therefore we are calling Christians all over America to join Lou Engle, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Tony Perkins, and many other major leaders in America to a national conference call to pray for America. Please join us on Thursday, September 24th from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Eastern Time for possibly one of the greatest moments in American history."
Conference Call Numbers: 712-338-8100
Alternate Dial in Numbers: 218-486-1400 or 507-726-3200
Participant Passcode: 637# (NDP#)
Live Audio Feed: www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Partners 335: How to Tell Real Census Workers in 2010 Census when they come to your door.
Some very good information below.
Short quick read.
This information is being distributed by the Dallas / Ft. Worth IBMer Organization to warn it's thousands of members of fraud associated with the 2010 Census (some pre-census activity is already underway). However, this warning is for ALL citizens so you may want to pass it on to everyone you know.
2010 Census Cautions
by Susan Johnson - August 3, 2009 12:07 pm
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have:
1. A badge
2. A handheld device
3. A Census Bureau canvas bag
4. A confidentiality notice
Be sure and ask to see:
1. Their identification and
2. Their badge before answering their questions.
NEVER invite anyone you don't know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.
Short quick read.
This information is being distributed by the Dallas / Ft. Worth IBMer Organization to warn it's thousands of members of fraud associated with the 2010 Census (some pre-census activity is already underway). However, this warning is for ALL citizens so you may want to pass it on to everyone you know.
2010 Census Cautions
by Susan Johnson - August 3, 2009 12:07 pm
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have:
1. A badge
2. A handheld device
3. A Census Bureau canvas bag
4. A confidentiality notice
Be sure and ask to see:
1. Their identification and
2. Their badge before answering their questions.
NEVER invite anyone you don't know into your home.
** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Proven Hope Focused Program of Couples Counseling offered Free to couples from Regent University
Proven Hope Focused Program of Couples Counseling offered Free to couples from Regent University
The Hope Focused program of couples counseling is now open for new couples to participate. www.mmatecenter.com
Who is this for? Couples are welcome to join who are struggling with everyday problems or more difficult problems as well. It is a short term (8-12 weeks) counseling program so those with severe or specific issues requiring more time and attention (infidelity, violence, untreated substance abuse) will be referred for longer term treatment outside of the study.
What is the Hope Project? The Hope project is an outreach and research project supported by Regent University therefore we are able to offer this program at No cost for couples in the community. It is a brief hope-focused approach focusing on increasing the positives in the relationship. It includes personalized assessment and feedback, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, exploring the influence of the past, apologies, forgiveness and other tailored interventions. It is completely private within our clinic.
What has research on the Hope Project shown? The research on the Hope approach has shown for over 10 years that this approach works well with couples. It increases satisfaction, commitment, positive communication skills, closeness and forgiving significantly after treatment and in follow-up data as well. The local Hope project has been going on for 3 years now with strong data support
Is it a religious program? It can be. The project follows ethical guidelines for all therapists where we tailor the approach to the couple. There is a Christian version of the Hope approach that can be used including scripture reference, prayer and discussion of spiritual growth if both members of the couple would prefer that approach. There is also the standard approach which does not include spiritual things but supports the good goal of a healthy relationship.
How should I communicate this to my congregation/friends/colleagues? You can send the information above through an email which is easiest, or we can send you flyers and further information about the approach as needed. You are welcome to sign up yourself to “check it out” and see if it’s something that would be helpful to couples. For any questions about the project please call our project office at 757-352-4896 or call me (Dr. Ripley) directly at 757-352-4296.
Jennifer Ripley, PhD
Professor of Psychology
Regent University
1000 Regent Drive, CRB 161
Virginia Beach VA 23464
757-352-4296
jennrip@regent.edu
The Hope Focused program of couples counseling is now open for new couples to participate. www.mmatecenter.com
Who is this for? Couples are welcome to join who are struggling with everyday problems or more difficult problems as well. It is a short term (8-12 weeks) counseling program so those with severe or specific issues requiring more time and attention (infidelity, violence, untreated substance abuse) will be referred for longer term treatment outside of the study.
What is the Hope Project? The Hope project is an outreach and research project supported by Regent University therefore we are able to offer this program at No cost for couples in the community. It is a brief hope-focused approach focusing on increasing the positives in the relationship. It includes personalized assessment and feedback, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, exploring the influence of the past, apologies, forgiveness and other tailored interventions. It is completely private within our clinic.
What has research on the Hope Project shown? The research on the Hope approach has shown for over 10 years that this approach works well with couples. It increases satisfaction, commitment, positive communication skills, closeness and forgiving significantly after treatment and in follow-up data as well. The local Hope project has been going on for 3 years now with strong data support
Is it a religious program? It can be. The project follows ethical guidelines for all therapists where we tailor the approach to the couple. There is a Christian version of the Hope approach that can be used including scripture reference, prayer and discussion of spiritual growth if both members of the couple would prefer that approach. There is also the standard approach which does not include spiritual things but supports the good goal of a healthy relationship.
How should I communicate this to my congregation/friends/colleagues? You can send the information above through an email which is easiest, or we can send you flyers and further information about the approach as needed. You are welcome to sign up yourself to “check it out” and see if it’s something that would be helpful to couples. For any questions about the project please call our project office at 757-352-4896 or call me (Dr. Ripley) directly at 757-352-4296.
Jennifer Ripley, PhD
Professor of Psychology
Regent University
1000 Regent Drive, CRB 161
Virginia Beach VA 23464
757-352-4296
jennrip@regent.edu
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Pastor's Breakfast to Defend Chesapeake Prayer at City Council
Pastors For Family Values invites you to a Complimentary Pastor Breakfast
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, 6350 Newtown Road. Norfolk, VA 23502
8:00 – 10:00 AM To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010
Recently a Wisconsin-based anti-Christian group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation in association with the ACLU, demanded that Chesapeake City Council cease it’s time honored tradition of opening council session with an uncensored prayer.
These organizations threatened legal action for “the unlawful act” despite the fact the US Supreme Court has consistently affirmed the right to this type of prayer and that invocations in no way violate the First Amendment of The US Constitution.
The Family Foundation (TFF) immediately offered our support and encouragement to Mayor Krasnoff and the members of council. Additionally, our partner organization, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has offered to represent the City of Chesapeake pro-bono should a lawsuit arise from the adoption of an “invocations policy” that supports uncensored prayer.
This Thursday morning, August 20th, The Family Foundation in association with our clergy partners, Pastors For Family Values, will be hosting a breakfast meeting for our local pastors and church leaders. I know that the time demands of your ministry are significant and that your schedule is void of too many free moments. But I pray that you will consider attending this very important event. It will be a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer and instruction.
Bishop Earl Jackson from Exodus Faith Ministries will serve as emcee and Dr. Rick Scarborough from Vision America will be our keynote speaker. Senior Pastor of Rock Church Anne Gimenez will be offering the invocation. We will be discussing ways to “confront the culture” that is seeking to stifle religious freedom and addressing specific threats that we face in our very own community. This event is open to all area pastors so please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who would be interested in joining us.
Pastors For Family Values invites you to
Confront the Culture
A Special Presentation for Pastors
August 20th, 2009
Complimentary Pastor Breakfast
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
6350 Newtown Road
Norfolk, VA 23502
8:00 – 10:00 AM
To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, 6350 Newtown Road. Norfolk, VA 23502
8:00 – 10:00 AM To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010
Recently a Wisconsin-based anti-Christian group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation in association with the ACLU, demanded that Chesapeake City Council cease it’s time honored tradition of opening council session with an uncensored prayer.
These organizations threatened legal action for “the unlawful act” despite the fact the US Supreme Court has consistently affirmed the right to this type of prayer and that invocations in no way violate the First Amendment of The US Constitution.
The Family Foundation (TFF) immediately offered our support and encouragement to Mayor Krasnoff and the members of council. Additionally, our partner organization, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has offered to represent the City of Chesapeake pro-bono should a lawsuit arise from the adoption of an “invocations policy” that supports uncensored prayer.
This Thursday morning, August 20th, The Family Foundation in association with our clergy partners, Pastors For Family Values, will be hosting a breakfast meeting for our local pastors and church leaders. I know that the time demands of your ministry are significant and that your schedule is void of too many free moments. But I pray that you will consider attending this very important event. It will be a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer and instruction.
Bishop Earl Jackson from Exodus Faith Ministries will serve as emcee and Dr. Rick Scarborough from Vision America will be our keynote speaker. Senior Pastor of Rock Church Anne Gimenez will be offering the invocation. We will be discussing ways to “confront the culture” that is seeking to stifle religious freedom and addressing specific threats that we face in our very own community. This event is open to all area pastors so please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who would be interested in joining us.
Pastors For Family Values invites you to
Confront the Culture
A Special Presentation for Pastors
August 20th, 2009
Complimentary Pastor Breakfast
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
6350 Newtown Road
Norfolk, VA 23502
8:00 – 10:00 AM
To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Partners: 10 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CONGRESSPERSON ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE BILL. ASK IN AUGUST WHILE THEY ARE HOME!!
Here is a list of very sensible and important quesitons about the proposed health care reform that could radically change our nation for better or for worse. Now is the time to discuss it!
Questions to ask your Senators and Representative about ObamaCare Before the October Vote onthis critical Bill. Ask your reps while they are home on August break!
ASK YOUR CHURCH TO HOST A MEETING WITH YOUR REPS TO ANSWER THESE QUESITONS! CHURCHES CAN DISCUSS AND DEBATE PROPOSED LEGISLATION!!
1. ABORTION
Pro-choice groups, like NARAL and Planned Parenthood, are demanding that abortion be covered in any healthcare reform bill. In a recent interview with Politico, Laurie Rubiner, vice president for public policy and advocacy at Planned Parenthood, defends this demand by saying, "the alternative would be slashing benefits for millions of women who currently have [private] coverage for abortions..." In addition, key administration officials refuse to rule out abortion coverage. When asked on Fox News Sunday whether taxpayer money would go to pay for abortions, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag replied, "I am not prepared to say explicitly that right now. It's obviously a controversial issue, and it's one of the questions that is playing out in this debate."
Pro-life senators on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee forced a roll call vote on the issue when Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) attempted to add an amendment to the healthcare bill that would, in her words, "include women's health clinics that provide comprehensive services...deemed medically necessary or appropriate." She admitted that such "health clinics" would include Planned Parenthood. The pro-life amendment to prohibit funding of abortion lost 11-to-12.
Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that uses my tax dollars to pay for abortions?
2. EUTHANASIA
In a recent New York Post column, Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York and health care expert, wrote:
"One troubling provision of the House bill compels seniors to submit to a counseling session every five years (and more often if they become sick or go into a nursing home) about alternatives for end-of-life care (House bill, p. 425-430). The sessions cover highly sensitive matters such as whether to receive antibiotics and 'the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration.' This mandate invites abuse, and seniors could easily be pushed to refuse care."
Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way promotes euthanasia?
3. COST
The United States faces a debt crisis. According to many analysts, including Senator Judd Gregg (who is so respected by President Obama that he offered Gregg the post of Secretary of Commerce), the Obama budget will give us $11 trillion of debt at the end of five years and $17 trillion of debt at the end of ten years. (Source: PolitiFact.com)
Question for your Congressmen: Why is Congress and the president pushing through a healthcare bill that would cost another trillion dollars over the next ten years? Shouldn't we concentrate on getting the debt under control first?
4. RATIONING CARE
According to a July 15th report by The Hill, "The House bill would be paid for by roughly $500 billion in Medicare and Medicaid cuts..." These "cuts" would come as millions of Americans are retiring. Logic suggests that if we are "cutting" hundreds of billions of dollars healthcare would have to be limited or rationed in someway to accommodate more people. And seniors would be most affected by Medicare cuts.
In addition, advisors to President Obama, such as Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, have suggested that healthcare should be rationed to certain individuals. Dr. Emanuel once wrote that "services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens...should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia."
(Source: http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/Where_Civic_Republicanism_and_Deliberative_Democracy_Meet.pdf)
Question for your Congressmen: How can government promise to do more with less? Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way limits my access to healthcare or medicines recommended by my doctor?
5. MORE BURDENS ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Despite a 9.5% (and rising) unemployment rate, the healthcare bill in the House imposes a new 8% payroll tax on small businesses with payrolls of $400,000 or more that don't provide health insurance for their employees. This is in addition to the current 15% payroll tax. What this means is that any employer with a payroll of $400,000 dollars or higher will have to pay at least 25% above the salary just to hire someone. Common sense tells you that any struggling small business will likely lay off workers to avoid this additional tax. On the other hand, if the tax is cheaper than the cost of health insurance, larger businesses may opt to cancel their health insurance, forcing employees into the government's "public option," and simply pay the 8% fine. (Source: Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you imposing additional mandates and taxes on small businesses, which create the overwhelming majority of new jobs, in the middle of a severe recession?
6. QUALITY CARE
American healthcare is better than that in European countries with socialized medicine. The German breast cancer mortality rate is 52% higher than in the United States. Prostate cancer mortality is 604% higher in the United Kingdom and 457% higher in Norway than in the United States. Canadian healthcare lags behind the United States too. Canadian patients wait twice as long to see a specialist for hip surgery or cancer than we do in the United States. Most Americans say they are satisfied with the U.S. health care system, but more than 70% of Germans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britons say that their systems need "fundamental change" or "complete rebuilding." (Source: National Center for Policy Analysis.)
In an editorial on July 26th, the Washington Post criticized President Obama for not "leveling about the consequences of change" when it comes to healthcare costs versus quality. Here's what the Post wrote: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new technology accounts for about half the increase in health-care costs over the past several decades. This, for the most part, is a good thing. Adjusted for inflation, health-care spending per person is six times what it was 40 years ago. But no one today would settle for 1960s-style medicine."
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you trying to force us in the direction of more government involvement in healthcare when everywhere government-run healthcare has been tried, quality declines and care is rationed?
7. THE PEOPLE ARE BEING IGNORED
According to a recent poll, just 23% of voters believe healthcare reform legislation will lower costs, while 53% believe it will lead to more expensive care. By a margin of 50% to 23%, voters believe that "reform" legislation will make the quality of care decline. And while voters believe they will get worse care at higher costs, 78% also believe that healthcare reform will result in middle class tax hikes. In addition, a recent Fox News poll found that 91% of those surveyed have health insurance, 84% said that the quality of their health insurance was either excellent or good and 83% said the quality of health care they receive from their private insurance is either good or excellent. And only 12% of those surveyed said reforming health care was the most important issue Congress should be working on right now. (Source: Rasmussen Reports, July 28, 2009 and Fox News poll July 23, 2009.)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you and the White House rushing this bill through Congress and ignoring the concerns of the American people?
8. LOSS OF FREEDOM
The healthcare reform legislation under consideration in the House will eventually force all Americans into a government-approved plan. After a five-year grace period, every new insurance policy will have to comply with government mandates, and any policy changes - "altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug" - invalidates your previous coverage and forces you to choose a government "qualified" plan. In addition, the House plan mandates coverage for every individual. If you are self-employed or choose not buy insurance for whatever reason, the bill imposes a "healthcare tax" of 2.5% of your income. (Source: CNNMoney.com, July 24, 2009 and Bloomberg.com, July 15, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why do you believe bureaucrats can make better decisions than me about what kind of health insurance I should have? And will you guarantee that any healthcare reform bill passed by Congress will always allow me to choose my own doctor?
9. RACIAL PREFERENCES
Do you care about the race of a doctor who is getting ready to operate on you? Of course not. Most Americans want their doctor to be the best professional available regardless of race or ethnic background. But congressional liberals have a different idea. On page 909 of the House bill, grants to medical schools will be awarded "to entities that have a demonstrated record of the following...training individuals who are from underrepresented minority groups or disadvantaged backgrounds." (Source: Investors Business Daily, July 27, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you throwing affirmative action/racial set asides into a healthcare reform bill?
10. PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
President Obama has repeatedly said that "no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition." That sounds wonderful until you apply common sense, which is in short supply in Washington. What if we made a law that allowed you to buy car insurance after you got into an accident and that required the insurance company to pay for the damage? Wouldn't many people just wait for an accident before buying insurance? Why wouldn't many Americans wait until they were sick to buy health insurance?
Question for your Congressmen: Isn't it clear that this provision would drive up the cost of health insurance for everyone?
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon,
Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
Questions to ask your Senators and Representative about ObamaCare Before the October Vote onthis critical Bill. Ask your reps while they are home on August break!
ASK YOUR CHURCH TO HOST A MEETING WITH YOUR REPS TO ANSWER THESE QUESITONS! CHURCHES CAN DISCUSS AND DEBATE PROPOSED LEGISLATION!!
1. ABORTION
Pro-choice groups, like NARAL and Planned Parenthood, are demanding that abortion be covered in any healthcare reform bill. In a recent interview with Politico, Laurie Rubiner, vice president for public policy and advocacy at Planned Parenthood, defends this demand by saying, "the alternative would be slashing benefits for millions of women who currently have [private] coverage for abortions..." In addition, key administration officials refuse to rule out abortion coverage. When asked on Fox News Sunday whether taxpayer money would go to pay for abortions, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag replied, "I am not prepared to say explicitly that right now. It's obviously a controversial issue, and it's one of the questions that is playing out in this debate."
Pro-life senators on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee forced a roll call vote on the issue when Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) attempted to add an amendment to the healthcare bill that would, in her words, "include women's health clinics that provide comprehensive services...deemed medically necessary or appropriate." She admitted that such "health clinics" would include Planned Parenthood. The pro-life amendment to prohibit funding of abortion lost 11-to-12.
Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that uses my tax dollars to pay for abortions?
2. EUTHANASIA
In a recent New York Post column, Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York and health care expert, wrote:
"One troubling provision of the House bill compels seniors to submit to a counseling session every five years (and more often if they become sick or go into a nursing home) about alternatives for end-of-life care (House bill, p. 425-430). The sessions cover highly sensitive matters such as whether to receive antibiotics and 'the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration.' This mandate invites abuse, and seniors could easily be pushed to refuse care."
Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way promotes euthanasia?
3. COST
The United States faces a debt crisis. According to many analysts, including Senator Judd Gregg (who is so respected by President Obama that he offered Gregg the post of Secretary of Commerce), the Obama budget will give us $11 trillion of debt at the end of five years and $17 trillion of debt at the end of ten years. (Source: PolitiFact.com)
Question for your Congressmen: Why is Congress and the president pushing through a healthcare bill that would cost another trillion dollars over the next ten years? Shouldn't we concentrate on getting the debt under control first?
4. RATIONING CARE
According to a July 15th report by The Hill, "The House bill would be paid for by roughly $500 billion in Medicare and Medicaid cuts..." These "cuts" would come as millions of Americans are retiring. Logic suggests that if we are "cutting" hundreds of billions of dollars healthcare would have to be limited or rationed in someway to accommodate more people. And seniors would be most affected by Medicare cuts.
In addition, advisors to President Obama, such as Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, have suggested that healthcare should be rationed to certain individuals. Dr. Emanuel once wrote that "services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens...should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia."
(Source: http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/Where_Civic_Republicanism_and_Deliberative_Democracy_Meet.pdf)
Question for your Congressmen: How can government promise to do more with less? Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way limits my access to healthcare or medicines recommended by my doctor?
5. MORE BURDENS ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Despite a 9.5% (and rising) unemployment rate, the healthcare bill in the House imposes a new 8% payroll tax on small businesses with payrolls of $400,000 or more that don't provide health insurance for their employees. This is in addition to the current 15% payroll tax. What this means is that any employer with a payroll of $400,000 dollars or higher will have to pay at least 25% above the salary just to hire someone. Common sense tells you that any struggling small business will likely lay off workers to avoid this additional tax. On the other hand, if the tax is cheaper than the cost of health insurance, larger businesses may opt to cancel their health insurance, forcing employees into the government's "public option," and simply pay the 8% fine. (Source: Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you imposing additional mandates and taxes on small businesses, which create the overwhelming majority of new jobs, in the middle of a severe recession?
6. QUALITY CARE
American healthcare is better than that in European countries with socialized medicine. The German breast cancer mortality rate is 52% higher than in the United States. Prostate cancer mortality is 604% higher in the United Kingdom and 457% higher in Norway than in the United States. Canadian healthcare lags behind the United States too. Canadian patients wait twice as long to see a specialist for hip surgery or cancer than we do in the United States. Most Americans say they are satisfied with the U.S. health care system, but more than 70% of Germans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britons say that their systems need "fundamental change" or "complete rebuilding." (Source: National Center for Policy Analysis.)
In an editorial on July 26th, the Washington Post criticized President Obama for not "leveling about the consequences of change" when it comes to healthcare costs versus quality. Here's what the Post wrote: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new technology accounts for about half the increase in health-care costs over the past several decades. This, for the most part, is a good thing. Adjusted for inflation, health-care spending per person is six times what it was 40 years ago. But no one today would settle for 1960s-style medicine."
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you trying to force us in the direction of more government involvement in healthcare when everywhere government-run healthcare has been tried, quality declines and care is rationed?
7. THE PEOPLE ARE BEING IGNORED
According to a recent poll, just 23% of voters believe healthcare reform legislation will lower costs, while 53% believe it will lead to more expensive care. By a margin of 50% to 23%, voters believe that "reform" legislation will make the quality of care decline. And while voters believe they will get worse care at higher costs, 78% also believe that healthcare reform will result in middle class tax hikes. In addition, a recent Fox News poll found that 91% of those surveyed have health insurance, 84% said that the quality of their health insurance was either excellent or good and 83% said the quality of health care they receive from their private insurance is either good or excellent. And only 12% of those surveyed said reforming health care was the most important issue Congress should be working on right now. (Source: Rasmussen Reports, July 28, 2009 and Fox News poll July 23, 2009.)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you and the White House rushing this bill through Congress and ignoring the concerns of the American people?
8. LOSS OF FREEDOM
The healthcare reform legislation under consideration in the House will eventually force all Americans into a government-approved plan. After a five-year grace period, every new insurance policy will have to comply with government mandates, and any policy changes - "altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug" - invalidates your previous coverage and forces you to choose a government "qualified" plan. In addition, the House plan mandates coverage for every individual. If you are self-employed or choose not buy insurance for whatever reason, the bill imposes a "healthcare tax" of 2.5% of your income. (Source: CNNMoney.com, July 24, 2009 and Bloomberg.com, July 15, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why do you believe bureaucrats can make better decisions than me about what kind of health insurance I should have? And will you guarantee that any healthcare reform bill passed by Congress will always allow me to choose my own doctor?
9. RACIAL PREFERENCES
Do you care about the race of a doctor who is getting ready to operate on you? Of course not. Most Americans want their doctor to be the best professional available regardless of race or ethnic background. But congressional liberals have a different idea. On page 909 of the House bill, grants to medical schools will be awarded "to entities that have a demonstrated record of the following...training individuals who are from underrepresented minority groups or disadvantaged backgrounds." (Source: Investors Business Daily, July 27, 2009)
Question for your Congressmen: Why are you throwing affirmative action/racial set asides into a healthcare reform bill?
10. PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
President Obama has repeatedly said that "no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition." That sounds wonderful until you apply common sense, which is in short supply in Washington. What if we made a law that allowed you to buy car insurance after you got into an accident and that required the insurance company to pay for the damage? Wouldn't many people just wait for an accident before buying insurance? Why wouldn't many Americans wait until they were sick to buy health insurance?
Question for your Congressmen: Isn't it clear that this provision would drive up the cost of health insurance for everyone?
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon,
Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
British And Virginian Abuse of Native Americans
These first Christian settlers in Jamestown got off to a terrible start with the Indians. Contrary to the gentleness that the English showed the Indians in the earlier Roanoke Colony in North Carolina, the Jamestown settlers saw themselves as superior to the Indians and treated them with much deceit and often with violence.
These abusive and deceitful attitudes towards our Native Americans have carried down to modern Virginians—as spiritual DNA often does!
In the August 11, 2003 edition of the Virginian-Pilot on page A10, there was a story outlining the continued legal fight of Virginia’s remaining eight tribes to get federal recognition. It was only in 1983 that the state of Virginia officially recognized them as Native American tribes. Unlike other states with Native American populations, Virginia has tricked and deprived its Native Americans over and over. The article states that Virginia:
…long denied education and employment opportunities to Indians. Later, the Virginia General Assembly tried bureaucratically to eliminate Indians by passing the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. The law mandated that only two races be recorded on state birth records: White and Negro. It was zealously enforced by Wa
lter A. Plecker, Virginia’s first Registrar of the Bureau of Vital Statistics.Plecker, an outspoken proponent of eugenics, systematically changed the race recorded on many birth, death and marriage certificates from “Indian” to “Negro” until his retirement in 1967 when it was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
But by then, it was too late for thousands of Native Americans to recover their real identity and the benefits that went with it. The State of Virginia committed ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by systematic massive identity theft.
The newspaper article goes on to tell of the “devastating impact” this law had on the Indians who could now not prove who they were. They were, consequently, not able to get the federal assistance that all the other tribes in America do for food and shelter and school scholarships.
1. First, we break our treaties with them and steal their land.
2. Then we steal their identity to deprive them of the very benefits we gave them hundreds of years later for taking their land away from them.
"We were victims of statistical genocide,” said William P. Miles, chief of the Pamunkey.
What angers me even more about this story is that many other Virginia politicians knew of it…for over 40 years! Some of those politicians called themselves Christians. Shame on them!
There has been a mean spirit in Virginia government against Indians and real Christians must act differently! Indians are our neighbor whom we are to love as ourselves. Anything else is sin. Sins like these have probably brought God’s curses on Virginia.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Revival Life Church 2009 Vision Statement ( Working Paper)
Vision for Revival Life Church
July 23, 2009
July 23, 2009
Keep the Main Things the Main Things
The Great Commandments and the Great Commission
The Great Commandments and the Great Commission
1.Love God with all of our heart and with all of our resources
2.Love one another as Jesus loves us
3.Love our neighbor in practical ways that meet their felt-needs
4.Make disciples of lost people locally and globally.
Family, Hospital, School and Army: Four Pictures of Who We Are
Family: Real love, real relationships, loving honesty that builds trust, serving one another
Hospital: Committed and equipped to help others find spiritual, emotional and physical health and growth.
School: Equipping Christians to minister to others. Developing leaders.
Army: Recruiting, training, deploying and monitoring believers to seek lost and hurting people, especially children and youth.
RLC is a Place Where:
1.People come to experience and enjoy God as Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
2.God's word is taught and lived with integrity and balance.
3. All nationalities, all ethnic groups and all sinners feel welcome and safe as they seek to know God and grow as believers. A “come-as-you-are” church.
4.People can get food, clothing, shelter and medical help through us and other ministries.
5.Every gift of the Spirit is honored and can be expressed by members of the church in every gathering.
6.People can be set free from the oppression and bondage of demons.
7.We network with other churches and ministries to build the Kingdom of God.
8.People are trained to coach each other to greater maturity and success.
9.People have a heart for Hampton Roads, for America and for other nations, especially for China and for Muslims.
My wife, Beth, and I are committed to seeing God glorified in this fellowship. We come primarily to build the Kingdom of God in Hampton Roads and beyond, not just to build a local fellowship. We hope to be an Is. 61:1 place where Jesus can heal people's hearts and set the captives free so they can be equipped to help others in similar ways. We want to be a place where Kingdom life is demonstrated more than talked about. We will seek the Presence of God in all our gatherings more than anything. We hope to serve other local churches and encourage collaboration among them to serve the rapidly increasing needs of Hampton Roads for body, soul and spirit. We welcome those who want to see God glorified in similar ways.
Our church now meets in homes, currently at our home at 5208 Canoe Landing, Virginia Beach, VA. 23464. My cell number is 757-802-1423. Sunday services are at 10:30 AM and Wed night Bible Study is at 7 PM. Some childcare is available.
Blessings,
Bob & Beth Fox
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Partners 329 Links: Prayer Resources for Muslims
Ramadan is from 22 August to 20 September this year. It is a strategic time for the body of Christ to pray for the Muslim people of the world. "30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus" booklets have been prepared to provide guidelines for prayer for specific issues related to Muslims for each of the days of Ramadan. These booklets can be ordered online at http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/ (note the special edition for children available at http://www.worldchristian.com/booksearch.asp?BkID=30DMPF4kids09). A daily e-mail version, which is an extract from the prayer guide booklets, will also be available. To receive it, enter your email address in the form at http://www.30-days.net/resources/email/. Also note the list of resources in http://www.30-days.net/shop/download.htm and at http://www.30-days.net/
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Prophetic Prayer of Fran Truit, February 5, 2009
2009
Heavenly Father, as I enter into a new year, my confession is to honor Your word, expect great things and stand strong in my calling! 2009 is a year of:
I will live by the principles of Your Kingdom and not the world's. I will be the Light to the Darkness and Hope to the Hopeless.
This I will do as I abide in you and You abide in me!
Fran Truit
God's Army Teacher at Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia beach, VA.
Heavenly Father, as I enter into a new year, my confession is to honor Your word, expect great things and stand strong in my calling! 2009 is a year of:
- God's uncommon favor and blessings
- a year of prosperity for spirit, body and soul
- a year of new opportunities, open doors and divine appointments
I will live by the principles of Your Kingdom and not the world's. I will be the Light to the Darkness and Hope to the Hopeless.
This I will do as I abide in you and You abide in me!
Fran Truit
God's Army Teacher at Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia beach, VA.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Be a Student Pro-Life Intern this Summer!
Learn the "In's and Out's" of the Pro-Life Movement this Summer!
Want to learn what it takes to work in the pro-life movement full-time? Want to find out where you best fit into the pro-life movement? Want to work to save the unborn for an entire summer?
Be a 2009 Missionary for Life!
Apply now to be selected for a competitive 9-week rotating pro-life internship this summer.
Nowhere else will you get this kind of experience which will allow you to meet pro-life and conservative leaders, learn how the pro-life grassroots works, and see Congress in action.
Selected candidates will start their rotating internship in Arlington, VA on June 8th and finish on August 7th.
Candidates will work for 3 weeks in each of the following offices: Students for Life of America, Feminists for Life of America, and pro-life Congressional office on Capitol Hill.
As a Missionary for Life, your housing will be provided. Missionaries will stay with selected host families in the D.C. area.
To apply,
Submit your resume
Send a short paragraph on why you want to be selected as a 2009 Missionary for Life
And tell us if you will be able to bring a car as some host families do not live near public transportation
Apply now at director@studentsforlife.org.
What 2008 Missionaries said about the SFLA Missionary for Life Program
Training website: Click here
"This experience has given me not only knowledge of the workings of the pro-life movement but as well contacts within the movement. Networking is key and I feel that the people I have connected with are people that can aide me in being successful in my future pro-life work." -Emily Espinola, Franciscan University
"Spending this summer as a Missionary for Life intern has equipped me with the knowledge, resources, and the inspiration necessary to make me twice as effective as a student leader. Having gained a more comprehensive understanding of the pro-life movement, I now know all the different angles from which I can approach the issue on my campus and am now streaming with new ideas of how I will help bring about a culture of life on my campus." -Steven McNulty, Clarion University
"Thanks to my experiences this summer with SFLA, I will now spend a lifetime devoting time to the pro-life movement. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the most devoted pro-life activists in the nation, and they have truly inspired me to work tirelessly for the unborn." -Jennifer Kacerosky, University of Florida
Want to learn what it takes to work in the pro-life movement full-time? Want to find out where you best fit into the pro-life movement? Want to work to save the unborn for an entire summer?
Be a 2009 Missionary for Life!
Apply now to be selected for a competitive 9-week rotating pro-life internship this summer.
Nowhere else will you get this kind of experience which will allow you to meet pro-life and conservative leaders, learn how the pro-life grassroots works, and see Congress in action.
Selected candidates will start their rotating internship in Arlington, VA on June 8th and finish on August 7th.
Candidates will work for 3 weeks in each of the following offices: Students for Life of America, Feminists for Life of America, and pro-life Congressional office on Capitol Hill.
As a Missionary for Life, your housing will be provided. Missionaries will stay with selected host families in the D.C. area.
To apply,
Submit your resume
Send a short paragraph on why you want to be selected as a 2009 Missionary for Life
And tell us if you will be able to bring a car as some host families do not live near public transportation
Apply now at director@studentsforlife.org.
What 2008 Missionaries said about the SFLA Missionary for Life Program
Training website: Click here
"This experience has given me not only knowledge of the workings of the pro-life movement but as well contacts within the movement. Networking is key and I feel that the people I have connected with are people that can aide me in being successful in my future pro-life work." -Emily Espinola, Franciscan University
"Spending this summer as a Missionary for Life intern has equipped me with the knowledge, resources, and the inspiration necessary to make me twice as effective as a student leader. Having gained a more comprehensive understanding of the pro-life movement, I now know all the different angles from which I can approach the issue on my campus and am now streaming with new ideas of how I will help bring about a culture of life on my campus." -Steven McNulty, Clarion University
"Thanks to my experiences this summer with SFLA, I will now spend a lifetime devoting time to the pro-life movement. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the most devoted pro-life activists in the nation, and they have truly inspired me to work tirelessly for the unborn." -Jennifer Kacerosky, University of Florida
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